JAMES DAVID SUPPLE COLBURN was born with Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic disorder with global effects including, in his case, mental impairment, extreme anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder and autistic behaviors. James has earned the title “Coach Colburn” from his years of helping with the Special Olympics.

MARY LOU SUPPLE is James’s mother:

“People I have never met—teachers James never had, school nurses, kids who’ve been in his class all these years, and their parents—tell me how much they love James. They tell me how funny he is. They tell me stories of wonderful experiences they had with him. I think of these when I don’t know what I should be doing for him next. I never have known. I follow his lead. If he is happy, I am doing the right thing. If he is not, I have to find out why and fix it. I don’t know if he will be happy in two years, but he is happy right now.”

GUS COLBURN is James’s father:

“One of the basic things you need to remember with special needs kids, is that you can’t predict what is going to happen. You can’t plan for things to go A, B, C because they don’t happen in a linear fashion. There are days when, if you get anything out of your child at all, you’re lucky.”

RICHARD COLBURN is James’s older brother:

“As far as the self-made man, that’s pretty much James. He’s made himself a character in people’s lives. A lot of people can’t think of life without him around, which is great.”

BETH TAYLOR is a special education teacher:

“One of the last things I think about is James’s diagnosis of Fragile X. What defines James is his honesty and vibrancy. He challenged people’s expectations of what a student with special needs could actually give by reinventing himself in high school. Ultimately, he walked and got his diploma. Many people didn’t think it was going to happen. In my head, it was always going to happen: he was going to walk and get that diploma. And he did.”

NICOLE TWOMEY is a special education teacher:

“My first impression of James Colburn—I can’t say it without a smile—was, ‘oh my God, this is one of the kids I’m gonna be dealing with all year.’ I had just graduated college, and special education wasn’t on my radar. James changed any conception I had about kids with developmental disabilities. He’s a perfect example of why inclusion works. He has been my assistant coach for several years now, and it was that group of kids, with James at the forefront, that made me pursue a career in special education.”

MATT SOLAZZO is James’s former school aid:

“James and I have been friends for some time now, but I still remember my first day with him. He brought 15 dollars for school lunch, which seemed like a lot, and told me he was supposed to spend it all. He had the biggest, best meal of his life. The next day I found out that money was supposed to last the entire week. I had to tell his parents we blew it on one meal, but that he ate very well. Luckily, they laughed. So my friendship with James began with him putting one over on me.”